“We can do this!” The role of physical activity in what comes next for dementia.

Russell, Christopher ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5165-9700 (2023) “We can do this!” The role of physical activity in what comes next for dementia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20 (15). p. 6503. ISSN Print: 1661-7827 Electronic: 1660-4601

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Abstract

There is increasing interest in physical activity as a response to the harm caused by dementia. The focus has been upon interventions to prevent or delay symptoms, or to support people living with the condition to reminisce. Welcome though this is there are other features inherent to physical activity that remain unrecognised or underutilised, and consequently its full potential for good is unrealised. Most prominent is the ability physical activity has to enable participants to claim and sustain a place in the world through what they do, crucial to a context where the impact of de-mentia tends to annihilate this for those living with the condition. The article addresses this gap by highlighting features such as person-centred care, human rights and social citizenship, all of which are fundamental to enabling people with dementia to live lives of quality. It identifies synergies with what physical activity can offer and emphasises the value of bringing this together; to illustrate how physical activity can contribute to enabling people with dementia live lives characterised by quality and sustenance of their place in the world. The article concludes by suggesting what must come next to ensure physical activity can play the fullest role possible.

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